Groundwater largely stable despite 19% monsoon rainfall deficit
India’s southwest monsoon has recorded a 19% cumulative rainfall deficit, yet the latest agriculture ministry report shows groundwater levels remain largely stable nationwide. About 88% of monitored wells report normal water levels, indicating limited immediate water stress for farmers using tube‑well irrigation. However, chronic over‑extraction in states such as Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan continues to pose long‑term sustainability challenges.
- ▪The Crop Weather Watch Group report found that 7,977 of 9,085 groundwater monitoring wells are in the normal category, with only 12.2% showing signs of drought.
- ▪Groundwater levels within 10 metres of the surface are recorded at roughly 69% of wells, while only about 4% are deeper than 40 metres.
- ▪Rainfall deficits are most severe in east and northeast India (-32%) and the southern peninsula (-26%), but active monsoon conditions are expected in the northwest, east and northeast regions this week.
- ▪Experts warn that the impact of the current weak monsoon on groundwater may only become evident after five to six months, potentially affecting the next cropping season.
- ▪Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan continue to extract groundwater at rates exceeding 130% of annual recharge, highlighting ongoing sustainability concerns.
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HomeNextGroundwater largely stable despite 19% monsoon rainfall deficitEven as India faces a 19% cumulative rainfall deficit in the southwest monsoon so far this season, the country’s groundwater reserves remain largely stable, according to the agriculture ministry’s latest Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG) reportPublished on: Jul 24, 2026, 09:07:41 ISTBy Pallavi Singhal, New DelhiPrefer HTon GoogleShare viaCopy link Even as India faces a 19% cumulative rainfall deficit in the southwest monsoon so far this season, the country’s groundwater reserves remain largely stable, according to the agriculture ministry’s latest Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG) report.
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